First Sea Lord Visits China Fleet Country Club in Saltash

The First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins KCB OBE ADC RM, has visited China Fleet Country Club to hear how the China Fleet Trust is expanding its support for Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel, veterans, reservists and their families.

Sir Gwyn stayed at the Club on 22nd January 2026 ahead of the visit, where he met the Trust’s Chair, Rear Admiral John Weale CB OBE, and Chief Executive Gordon Hannah. The meeting included an overview of the Trust’s heritage, its charitable impact, and future plans to strengthen welfare and wellbeing provision across the Naval Service.

A legacy shaped by sailors and marines

The China Fleet Trust is built on the legacy of the original China Fleet Club in Hong Kong, which was funded by sailors and marines more than a century ago. Today, the Trust continues to play a distinctive role in supporting the Royal Navy family.

In 2025, the Trust supported more than 55,000 beneficiary visits, delivered through welfare support, discounted breaks, respite opportunities and wider family support programmes.

Supporting wellbeing and family resilience

During the visit, Sir Gwyn heard how the Trust’s work helps reinforce family resilience, wellbeing and recovery, particularly for those facing the pressures of service life and deployment.

The Trust also shared feedback from Royal Navy and Royal Marines units, with many describing the China Fleet as “part of the family” in recognition of its contribution to morale and recovery.

Fundraising plans and sustainability focus

The meeting included updates on a new fundraising effort designed to expand the level of support available to serving personnel and their families. Sir Gwyn also heard how future funds will help provide broader assistance to Naval units and strengthen welfare support across the Fleet.

The First Sea Lord was also briefed on recent renewable energy investments and sustainability improvements at the Club, reflecting the Trust’s commitment to responsible stewardship of assets entrusted by generations of sailors and marines. The Trust highlighted its close work with other Royal Navy charities and its active role within the wider Armed Forces charity sector.

A rare visit from the First Sea Lord

Rear Admiral John Weale said:
“It was a privilege to welcome the First Sea Lord to Saltash. His visit underlines the importance of the China Fleet Trust’s role within the Royal Navy family, and we were delighted to share how our work continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s serving personnel and their loved ones.”

Gordon Hannah added:
“We were proud to show Sir Gwyn how the Trust and the Club support wellbeing, recovery and family resilience services that make a meaningful difference every day. We remain committed to honouring our heritage while strengthening the support we provide to the Naval community.”

This visit marks only the second time a serving First Sea Lord has visited the Club, with the previous visit taking place in 2018.